GTApreneurs was founded in 2019, by Tammy Defoe, President, Business Coach, Sales and Public Speaker Trainer, Event Coordinator and Host. We incorporated to form GTApreneurs Inc. in May 2021, and received official approval for the trademark “GTApreneurs” in April 2024.

We started out offering business networking events and public speaking training, then added on Exclusive Referral Networking Groups in March 2020. Tammy Defoe started offering one-on-one business coaching in February 2021; and we started offering website development and SEO services in January 2022. In May 2023 we launched our homepage business directory, and in January 2024 we opened our first out-of-home office in Improve Canada in Vaughan, ON.

Since the company inception, we have hosted over 125 business networking events, with an additional 36+ events in the coming year.

We would be happy to help you grow your business!

In addition to amassing a huge network of small business owners, solopreneurs and self-employed professionals over the past 4+ years, Tammy’s work building GTApreneurs has included writing our contracts; writing copy and designing this website and all GTApreneurs marketing materials; leading our 2 Exclusive Business Coaching and Referral Networking Groups every week; creating presentations and other materials to present during these group meetings and at our networking events; onboarding all of our clients, including members, guest speakers, exhibitors, website clients and business coaching clients; interviewing our Guest Speakers on video; video editing; and managing our team of 3 assistants and 4 website development and SEO staff.

Before founding GTApreneurs, Tammy worked as an online English as a Foreign Language Instructor (1 year), Independent Financial Security Advisor (2 years), Personal Fitness Trainer/Supervisor/owner (13 years) Group Fitness Instructor (25 years), food and beverage manager and service worker (10 years).

When she was an employed and self-employed Personal Fitness Trainer she was responsible for acquiring her own clients, which is when she first started gaining and honing her sales skills. She was always a top performer for Personal Training sales when working for others fitness facilities.

In her role as a Financial Advisor, she received training from top Certified Financial Planners and Insurance Specialists in product knowledge, financial planning and business development; and she collaborated with Mortgage Brokers, Realtors, Lawyers and Securities Specialists to provide optimum service to her clients, and for referrals.

While a Personal Fitness Trainer, she collaborated with some Health Practitioners when their clients were ending their therapeutic treatment and ready to increase their fitness level and also if a client required treatment that a Health Practitioner provided. 

So, Tammy understands the importance of high-quality professional connections to both provide excellent client service and to grow each other’s businesses through referrals.

Other self-employment endeavors Tammy undertook include occasional party beverage planning and serving, and being reps for Avon and Yves Rocher in her early 20’s.

In addition, she has been a volunteer social event host through Meetup.com and has organized and hosted talent shows and other events.